Richmond Hill mayoral candidates on track to make history

by Kyle Jordan

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WTOC) - In 63 years, seven different men have served as Mayor of Richmond Hill. After November’s election, the face of city leadership will look noticeably different.

Kristi Cox and Belgicia Howell-Cowart are the only two candidates who qualified for the Richmond Hill Mayoral race. Voters will elect one of them to be the first woman to lead the city.

“We need to improve upon some things and so I feel like I’m here, ready,” Cox said about launching her campaign.

“I’m not a keyboard warrior,” Howell-Cowart said when asked why she’s running. “If I want to do something, I’m gonna take action and do it.”

The two women embrace adversity. Cox is a special needs mother who also lost a child to cancer. Howell-Cowart is a veteran and survivor of domestic abuse.

Cox has spent the past six years on Richmond Hill City Council and served as Mayor Pro-Tem. Howell-Cowart says her involvement in organizations locally and around the state have prepared her for this moment.

Both candidates know the challenges Richmond Hill is facing. This includes managing growth, safety concerns, drainage issues and fiscal responsibility.

“No matter who you put in office, no matter who is in the City Council, the growth is coming,” Howell-Cowart said. “The thing that matters is how you deal with it and how you handle it.”

“If we can really put some policy in place, some standards in place that can help with all those topics, everybody’s quality of life will be better, ” Cox said.

Both candidates also say communication and transparency will be at the forefront if they’re elected. Both say they want to make sure people feel like they have a voice and a seat at the table.

Here are some key dates for the upcoming General Election: